Further north, Washington State Gov. Christine Gregoire signed legislation helping to shield drivers from liability who lend their cars as part of the nation's burgeoning car share movement. Whereas some companies such as Zipcar and Car2go provide fleets for sharing, person-to-person programs use software to link individuals who want to rent out their cars to people who need a short-term lift. But most automobile insurance companies currently cancel the policies of drivers who are part of this growing "collaborative consumption" movement.

Apple unveiled plans for the nation's largest private fuel cell energy project. The project will power a data center using hydrogen extracted from natural gas.

Scientists Dissect Causes of "Weather Weirding"

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that March's "meteorological madness" with record-setting highs was due mostly to freakishly random factors, with only a small assist from human-induced climate change. IPS calls this "extreme weather" the new normal, and there may be more crazy weather in our future. The changes are causing some scientists to look to the ice.